Penn State’s all-time leading passer is reportedly looking for a new home in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers released quarterback Sean Clifford on Tuesday, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He will go through the waivers process so other teams can claim him. If he goes through the waivers process, it’s possible Green Bay could re-sign him to the practice squad.
Clifford, a former fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, appeared in just two regular-season games as a rookie for the Packers as a backup to starter Jordan Love. He completed his only pass attempt for 37 yards to former Rutgers receiver Bo Melton while officially having -2 rushing yards on kneel downs in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Clifford played in three 2024 preseason games and completed 22 of 43 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
His future with the Packers became uncertain Monday night when Green Bay traded Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis, a former Liberty star, to replace Love. Ironically, Willis lost the battle for the starting job in Tennessee to former Penn State quarterback Will Levis, who lost his starting job with the Nittany Lions to Clifford years ago and transferred to Kentucky.
Clifford played six seasons at Penn State, including four years as a starter, and left the team with several program records for completion percentage (61.4%), completions (833), passing yards (10,661), total yards (11,734) and passing touchdowns (86).
Despite a checkered history as Penn State’s starter and a loss against Ohio State, Clifford rode off into the proverbial sunset with one of the best performances of his career, a dominating win over Utah in the Rose Bowl in his final start. He threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns before giving way to freshman Drew Allar in the fourth quarter.
